Offshore rotary operator NHV has increased its Aberdeen-based H175 fleet to four aircraft and has picked up further contracts and projects in 2017 after its upgraded facilities at Aberdeen were completed towards the end of last year. Base manager Jamie John tells EBAN that the H175 is an ideal aircraft for his mission profile: “The 175 is specifically designed for the offshore market. It's a super medium that seats 16. It is faster and more efficient than some of the heavier types, which passes on cost savings to our customers. When we started our Aberdeen operations, the oil price was at its lowest point in many years, however as we see it rebounding, we certainly believe the super mediums are the way forward.”

Predominantly providing offshore helicopter services for the oil and gas industry, NHV also has a contract to service an offshore wind farm just north of the Moray Firth. “We provide weekly crew change flights to the Beatrice wind farm which, with 84 turbines, is the largest project of its kind in Scotland. We already work on wind farms out of Belgium and the Netherlands so this is part of our core business,” John says. “The market in general is starting to pick up a little bit, and we are seeing some drillers and fresh projects on the horizon which we will be tendering for.”